Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treadmill trotting shows gait differences in Labradors prone to knee
By Ragetly, Chantal A et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2012·Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Kinetic and kinematic analysis of the right hind limb during trotting on a treadmill in Labrador Retrievers presumed predisposed or not predisposed to cranial cruciate ligament disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy Labrador Retrievers was studied while trotting on a treadmill to see how their leg movements might indicate a risk for cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). The researchers found that dogs considered at higher risk for CCLD had different leg positions and muscle power compared to those not at risk. Specifically, the stifle joint (knee) was more bent in the high-risk dogs, and their muscles generated more power during the early part of their stride. Understanding these movement patterns could help veterinarians identify dogs that may be more likely to develop CCLD in the future.
People also search for: Labrador Retriever leg movement · CCLD risk in dogs · dog knee problems symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify gait characteristics during trotting on a treadmill in nonlame Labrador Retrievers presumed predisposed or not predisposed to cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). ANIMALS: Clinically normal Labrador Retrievers presumed predisposed (n = 10) or not predisposed (7) to CCLD. PROCEDURES: The right hind limb of each dog was classified by use of a predictive score equation that combined tibial plateau angle and femoral anteversion angle as presumed predisposed (high score [> -1.5]) or not predisposed (low score [≤ -1.5]) to CCLD. Tarsal joint, stifle joint, and hip joint kinematics, net moments, and powers were computed. RESULTS: The stifle joint was held at a greater degree of flexion in limbs presumed predisposed to CCLD (130.9° vs 139.3°). More power was generated by muscles acting on the stifle joint in the early stance phase of limbs presumed to be predisposed to CCLD (2.93 vs 1.64 W/kg). The tarsal joint did not reach the same degree of extension in limbs presumed predisposed to CCLD, compared with that in limbs presumed not predisposed to CCLD (179.0° vs 161.0°). Velocity, stance time, vertical and craniocaudal forces, angular velocities, and net joint muscle moments did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gait mechanics of dogs with high (> -1.5) and low (≤ -1.5) tibial plateau angle and femoral anteversion angle scores were characterized on a treadmill, which may help in the identification of dogs predisposed to CCLD.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22849677/